Cap for collapsible tubes and other containers



H. SMITH Filed March 9, 1939 CAP FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND OTHERCONTAINERS July 16, 1940.

INVENTOR BY Har/y 5m/Th A (/M Mmm# @wir ATTORNEYS Fig. 7'

Fig.

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES lairifzlvr fom-ics CAPBOLLAPSIBLETUBES AND` OTHER CONTAINERS A `Harry Smith,yLeytonstone,.-London,. .lillirg'lanll` `as signor to Thel West Company,nc.,

phia, Pa.

Pliiladelif Application March 9, 1939,'seris1 No. 260,671

In'Gr-eatliiitain Marchi 9, 1938 1o claims. (oreal-60) This inventionrelates to improvements incaps 'for collapsible tubes and othercontainers, and. has for anobject the provision yol? a cap -orcolmeantime had been lost) toreplace the cap on the neck of the tube,screwing the same .sufliciently tight to seal the contents "from thedeleterious effects of theatmosphere. If lthe closing or replacingoperationis neglected, the contents of the tube may, due to exposure,Abecome dried out, hardened, or otherwise deteriorate.

An object of the present invention is thegpro-` vision of a self-sealingcap applicable to `collapsl` ible tubes or containers Which normallyseals the contents thereof from the outside air, said cap including aplurality of seals "which are broken While and as the user appliesreasonable pressure to the tube proper and which are auto-` maticallyestablished upon the cessation of said pressure. i

Another object of the invention is the provision of an annulus of ycomparatively non-` resilient material adapted to embrace the' neck ordischarge end of the tube, saidv annulus carrying a bridgemember `orlwebv preferably -of `rectangular cross section spanning oneN end' ofsaid annulus and havingy openings'on'each side of said bridgecommunicatingwith 'the opening in the neck of the tube, vand a resilientrcap member-adapted to envelop said-annulus andwbridge andito normallyengagel the free edges of the bridge yand form seals therewith, vsaidcap fhaving a slit portion lying above andvparallel `to'the longitudinalaxis of they bridge.

In this arrangement a chamber isformed within said cap adjacenttosadslit portion anduthe upperedges of said bridge,'and Whenvthe userapplies pressure vto the '-tube"to"feject Amaterial therefrom, thispressure raises the resilient material and: therebyibreaks said seals,.zepermitting the material to rpass into said' chamber whence' (also due'to the pressure) it` is'idischarge'd via said slit portion. When thepressuretceases the seals are automatically re-established and "at theAsame time 'the slit 'closesiup tights and `the Vtight nt, said 'memberbeing adapted to be material in the tube is doubly sealed from theoutsideratmosphere. kAfurtherobjectof the inventionis thegprovision of`a resilient cap adapted to be applied to the 'necksoi-existingcollapsible tubes Aor con- 5 tainers, said cap having a slit formed4in-the apex thereof and the provision ofl a non-resilient memberA olsquare or rectangular cross-section of' suicient lengifh to form at eachendan air mounted Within said cap parallel to said-slit so thatitsupperedges-Wil1'form, with said cap sealing valves.

After themember is mounted -inthe cap the assemblyisapplied to the `neck"of the tube so `l'l that" the resiliency Vofthe cap, in addition toeffecting sealing, alsormly holds saidmember, which when sor'mountedspans the opening 4in the 'neck' of the tubefsolidly againstgthe end ofthefneck. When pressureis applied to the tube to eject materialtherefrom, the material -passes through portions of the tube opening -toeach side'oi'said'member, andthence viafsaidlsealing Valves `and saidslit in the 'manner described.

` Anothe-r-iobject-'of the `invention isv the provision `of -a neckedcollapsible tube or vessel which hasra` bridge member of squareor'rectangular cross-section formed integral therewith and the provisionIof a resilient cap member adaptedlto. be applied to the neck endof thetube incooperative `relationship with said 4bridge member to normally-f'form -a plurality ofA seals'ior isolating the contents of` the tubes`from the atmosphere.

`Yet another Yobject of the linvention is the provision' of avcollapsible ltube 0r vessel carrying on its neckend lneans to form Witha resilient cap, adapted to be applied to the tube, a plurality ofseries of chambers normally isolated from each other,` thereby forming aseries of sealings of the contents `of the tube from the undesirableeffects of the outside air.l

Otherobjects will be apparent tok those skilled in the art upon theperusal of the specication.

` In vthe accompanying drawing which is given by way of example -toillustrate the invention:

Figure 1 is a-sectional elevation of Aone embodiment of` the invention`particularly adapted to loe-applied to existing collapsible tubes afterthe usual s'creW cap `has been removed;

Figure 2 is a side elevati-on of the device shown 50 in Figure l takeninra plane at right angles to the plane in Which 'Figure 1 appears;

"FigureS is a perspective view of a modication of the invention in whichla longitudinal bridge or Web spanning` the neck of` thetube is 55member I5.

formed integral with the tube and arranged to cooperate with a resilientcap when the latter envelops said bridge and tube neck;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the neck end of the arrangementshown in Figure 3, the relation between the bridge member and theresilient cap being clearly showin'- Figure-5 is an elevation of thedevice shown in Figure 4 as viewed in a plane at right angles to theplane of Figure 4;

Figure 6 lis a sectional elevation of the nec end of a tube embodying afurther modification in which a plurality of series of normally sealedchambers normally isolate the contents of the tube from the atmosphere;and

Figure 7 depicts a modification in which the resilient cap hasa bridgemember inserted and properly located therein in respect to the slit,whereby the assembly of cap and bridge may be bodily applied to thenecks of existing collapsible tubes.

Referring to Figure 1, a portion of an existing tube I0 has a taperedportion I I which terminates in the usual threaded neck I2 having theusual discharge opening I3 through which material is discharged from thetube.

Anon-resilient member comprised of an annular portion I4 having a bridgemember i5 secured thereto or formed integral therewith has an openingtherein adapted to accommodate and be supportedby the neck VI2'.

To one side of the bridge member I5 is a passage I and to the other sideof the bridge member is a passage II, both said passages com-v ofsuitable consistency (such for example as the f rubber used for nippleson'nur'sing bottles) although other resilient or flexible materials mayalso be used. This cap envelops the non-resilient member and may beprovided with a skirting bead I9.

One portion ofthe wall of the cap I8 engages and forms a sealing valvewith the longitudinal Aedge 2U of the bridge I5 and another portionengages and forms a sealing valve with the longitudinal edge 2|, deningtherebetween a chamber 22. The cap with said non-resilient member alsoforms a chamber'23 between the longitudinal edge 20 and the curved edge24 of the nonresilientmember, and a chamber 25 between' the longitudinaledge 2I and the curved edge 25 of the non-resilient member.

The chambers 23 and 25 are normally isolated from the chamber 22 by theengagement of the edges 24 and 21B by the portions of resilient capabove referred to.

The resilient cap has formed therein a slit 21 which also remainsnormally closed. This slit is preferably parallel to the axis of thebridge When pressure is applied to the exterior of the tube to ejectsome of the contents, the material in the tube passes from the neckdischarge opening I3 via the passages I6 and II into the chambers 25 and23 respectively. The material presses against the portions of theresilient cap bounding said chambers, thereby raising them andl breakingthe seals between said cap and the edges V2i) and 2I. v

This permits the material to pass into the chamber 22 where it stillunder pressure engages the portion of the resilient cap bounding thechamber 22, forcing the slit 2'I open and the material is dischargedviathe slit u21,

As soon as the required quantity of the material is ejected, the userceases to apply pressure and as a result the following actions takeplace automatically, thereby reestablishing a double seal between thematerial in the tube and the atmosphere outside.

(l) The .slit 2'I immediately closes, sealing off the chamber 22. Y

(2) The walls of the resilient'cap I8 adjacent .-tol the edges 20 and 2|of the bridge I5 immetubes or Vessels equipped with the herein devscribed device.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the collapsible containeris provided with a neck 3| which need not be threaded. In some instancesthe neck SI may be provided with an annular groove 29 adapted to beengaged by a skirting bead such as that indicated by the numeral I9 inFigurel.

The neck 3| preferably has formed integral therewith a bridge or web 32of substantially square or rectangular cross-section, spanning thedischarge lopening 33 of the tube and leaving a passage 3l! on one sideof the bridge and a passage 35 on the other side.

Where the tube is preformed when manufactured in the manner justdescribed, it is only necessary to apply the cap 36 of flexible rubberor other resilient material.

The portion 3'I of the cap extending from the i curved edge 38 of theneck to the straight edge 39 of the bridge 32 bounds a chamber 30.Likewise the portion Y4I of the cap extending from the curved edge 42 ofthe neck to th-estraight edge 43 of the bridge 32 bounds a chamber 44.

The passage 34 communicates with the chamber lm and the passage 35communicates with the chamber 44. Y Y

Where the Walls of the .capV 35 contact the straight edges 39 and 43 ofthe bridge, effective seals are normally established'and a chamber 45formed therebetween is thereby normally isolatedfrom the chambers and44. A normally closed slit is formed in the apex of the cap 36preferably-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bridge 32, A Inejecting material from the tube 30 the sam procedure is followed and thesame effect is obtained as that described in connection with Figures 1and 2.

'Ihe advantages of the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 is thatthe tubes will cost practically the same as the tubes of the prior art,and

v the cost of the live rubber caps 36 is less than that valving edges 5Iand 52 which cooperate with the cap 53 ,to form a chamber 54.

jA bridge member 55 is on one side of and spaced apart from the bridge50 and a bridge member 56 is on theother side of and spaced apart fromthe bridge 5I] and a Web'5'I connects the bridge 50 andthe bridgemembers.55' and56 together. The bridge membersf 55ra`ndv56- are respectivelyprovided withlstraight contact edges .58 and `55 which-are engaged. insealing relation by portions of thecapa53. .Passages-E andvl arev formedin the neck of -thetube to lead material outwardly 4as .pressure isapplied tothe tube.

'Ihe spacesbetween bridge members 55 and 55 and the .bridge`respectively form `therebetween chambers@ .and 63 which .are'isolatedfrom the passages `6I] and 6l andare also isolatedfrom the chamber 54.yA slit :Slis formed in the cap preferably parallel .to the lmajor axisof the bridge 5D. When pressureis applied tothe tube the materialinpassages and 6| lift the cap walls from the edges 58 and 59 and thematerial passes into chambers B2-.and V63, after-which the materiallifts the walls of thecap andpasses between the same and the ledges 5land 52 into the chamber andfout viathe slitf64.v

Iny the modification in Figure '7, the cap 65 is provided with Alocatingmeans in Y the interior thereof and before the :cap isapplied to anordinary collapsible tube (after the cap has been screwed offiabar '66ofsquare or rectangular cross-section and of a length'not lessLthan thediameter ofthe tube neck -is inserted into the 'cap and located bysaidlocating means into proper relation to theslit 61. j After this isdone the assembly is ready'to be applied to the neck of the tube,designated by the numeral 68. `Ill/hen properly positioned thereon thecap holds the bar tightly against the end of the neck 68, and

i the material, when the tube is squeezed `passes via passages .69 and'IIJ into chambers 1I and 12 respectively and thence, as described abovein connection with Figures l through 5, into chamber i3, and out via theslit 67. In this embodiment as with the others, when the pressure on thetube walls ceases the ejection of material also immediately ceasesandthe material in the tube is doubly sealed off from the atmosphere.

Although I have described my invention and several modificationsthereof, it must be understood that these are given by way of exampleand I should not be limited thereby except insofar as set forth in theannexed claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a collapsible container having a neck and a dischargeopening, a resilient cap having a slitted apex and adapted to be appliedto said neck, a bar member of a length at least equal to the ldiameterof said neck and having a plurality of longitudinal sealing edgesadapted to cooperate with the interior of said cap to normally form achamber within the apex thereof when said bar member is mounted withinthe cap and the cap is applied to said neck,

Vand locating means within said cap to insure the placing of said bar inparallel relation tothe slit, said cap having a skirt of such lengththat it holds said lbar member in intimate contact with the end of saidneck `and spanning the mid portion of said discharge opening.

2. In combination, a collapsible container having a neck and a dischargeopening, a bridge member extending across and maintained in fixedrelation to said neck and spanning the mid portion of said dischargeopening, said bridge having a pair of longitudinal edges spaced apartfrom each other, a resilient cap adapted to envelop said bridge and saidneck and having an apex, said longitudinal edges being normally engagedby portions of the interior walls of said cap insealing'l'relationthereby forming an isolated chamberfbounded by saidapex-and the spacessur-*face of--said-bridge between said edges, and aslit formed in said apex between and parallel Ato said edges, `saidsealing 4relation `being :adapted: to rbebroken whensufcient pressure isapplied; tosaid container thereby permitting the contents of `saidcontainer to pass `into said chamber and outtherefrom via -said slit.

3. In combination,v=a collapsible tube having a neck and a.dischargewopening a rigid 4member adapted to be Iattacher-1 to saidneck comprised of a bridge portionl of rectangular cross-section .and anVvannular portion embracing said neck 'and supporting said bridgemember, said bridge inem- .ber spanning the mid-portion of saiddischarge Acpenin'gtand having fa pair of longitudinal edges spacedapart from each other, a resilientcap .adapted to embrace said annular'portion and envelopthe same,l said neck and said bridge, said cap havingan apex whichnormally liesabove saidbridge and interiorly Vengaging saidlongitudinal edges thereby form a chamber isolated and ynormally sealedoff from said discharge opening,

anda slit formed in said 'apex between'and parallel to saidedges, saidnormally sealed relation beingvadaptedto be broken Vwhen suiiicientpressure is applied to said container to eject contents therefrom,thereby 'permitting said contents to pass into `said chamber and outtherefrom via said slit.

.4. In combination, Ia collapsible tube, an annular `discharge member onsaid tube, said'annularv member having a discharge passage therethrough,a bar spanningtheout'er end of said passage yand defining therewith twoopenings, said bar having a length at least equal to the outerdiameterof said annular member, and a resilient cap enveloping said barand vsaid. member and having an apex and a normally closed outlet insaid apex, said bar having outer longitudinal edges engaging said cap todefine a chamber between said bar and said apex.

5. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a dischargeopening, means forming a chamber normally isolated from said opening andcomprised in part of the apex of a live rubi ber cap, said cap alsohaving a skirt portion supported on said neck, a bridge member forminganother part of said means and having longitudinal edges normallycontacted by portions of the interior of said cap and forming valvessealing 01T and effecting the isolation of said chamber, and a normallyclosed slitformed in said apex, whereby when the user applies pres sureto the body of said tube to eject material therefrom said materialdeforms the walls of said cap and opens said valves to permit saidmaterial to pass into said chamber and out via said slit which is forcedopen by the pressure exerted thereon by the material in contacttherewith.

6. In combination, a collapsible tube having a neck and a dischargeopening, a resilient cap adapted to be applied to said neck, saidcaphaving a slittedapex comprised of edges or lips which are normallyclosed, a bar member of a length equal to the diameter of said neck andawidth which will enable the bar to at least partially cover saiddischarge opening, the upper edges of said bar forming in cooperationwith s a skirt ofpsufcient length to maintain said bar in `contact withsaid neck and spanning said the diameter of said' neck, a resilient capadapted to embrace said neck, enveloping the same and said bridge, saidcap having an apex normally closed and lying above said bridge memberand having Walls adjacent thereto interiorly engaging said longitudinaledges to form a chamber isolated and normally sealed on from saiddischarge opening, and a normally closed slit formed in said apexcommunicating With said chamber, said normally sealed relation ybeingadapted to be broken when the Walls of said cap are deformed by theapplication of suiiicient` pressure to said container to eject materialtherefrom, thereby permitting said contents to pass into said chamberand out therefrom via said slit.

8. In combination, a collapsible. tube having a neck and a dischargeopening, a plurality of chambers formed integral with said neck and eachbeing bounded by a Wall having an engageable longitudinal edge, aresilient cap mounted on said neck and enveloping the same, the interiorWalls of said cap normally adapted to sealingly engage said edgesthereby isolating said cham- Atially parallel relation to said slit,said cap having `bers from eachother, said walls being adapted to I'bedeformed by material from said tube when under pressure thereby placingsaid chambers in Vcommunication with each other whereby said materialmay pass therethrough, and a normally closed slit formed in said capoverlying one of said chambers via Which material from said last chambermay pass out into the open air when the YWalls of the tube are subjectedto pressure.

9. A collapsible tube carrying means forming ra plurality of chambers,one of said means comprising a deformable cap cooperating with edges ofthe boundaries of said chambers to isolate said chambers from eachother, the Walls of said cap being adapted to be deformed by materialWithin the tube When pressure is applied to the body of said tube forthe purpose of ejecting material therefrom, and a slitformed in saidexble cap overlying one of said chambers whereby said material underpressure may pass to the outside.

Y 10. In combination, a collapsible tube having rigid sealing memberscarrying sealing edges, a sealedv non-rigid member including Wallportions cooperating With said sealing edges to normally seal theinterior of said tube against the outside atmosphere, a plurality ofchambers formed by said rigid members and said non-rigid member, saidVchambers being bounded by said sealingA edges, the slit formed in saidnon-rigid member being comprised of edges or lips which are normallyclosed thereby providing, together with the cooperation oi said Wallportions and said sealing edges, double insurance of the contents ofsaid tube against deleterious effects of the atmosphere.

